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Staff Picks

Build-Outs Of Summer: Cartel Coffee Lab In Austin, TX

By Arrive Hotels, austin, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, Cartel Coffee Lab, la marzocco linea pb, mazzer, mercanta, North America, Oatly, paul haworth, San Franciscan, Staff Picks, Texas, USA

cartel coffee lab austin texas

Tempe, Arizona’s Cartel Coffee Lab have been spreading their wings as of late. Owner to multiple cafes statewide—including the very essential cafe in Terminal 4 of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport—thanks to a partnership with Arrive Hotels, Cartel has expanded beyond their Arizona confines and moved into Palm Springs, California and now, Austin, Texas.

Their newest location, on 6th Street in East Austin, is adding to one of the city’s coffee hotbeds; Cartel is a literal stone’s throw away from Cuvee‘s coffee bar (or at least I could throw a stone that far, YMMV), amongst many other, less-projectile distanced cafes. But even being 1,000 miles from home, Cartel still has the same feel of their Arizona cafes, thanks in no small part to in-house design and fabrication. Cartel’s Austin location is open now, so let’s pop in for a visit, shall we?

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Paul Haworth.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

We have been sourcing, roasting, and brewing the most exciting coffees we can find since 2008. We are primarily a retailer as opposed to a wholesaler and we have eight locations. Our home base is Tempe, Arizona, where we still roast everything on a 25-pound San Franciscan at the original location.

cartel coffee lab austin texas

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

We landed a great partnership with Arrive Hotels, which has gotten us out of being exclusive to Arizona. First, we opened a location in Palm Springs, CA and now we have this new space in Austin. We will also be opening a third space with them in Phoenix by the end of 2019. All are street facing, independent shops that happen to be sharing walls with the hotels. The feel is urban with lots of steel and neutral colors.

What’s your approach to coffee?

We work almost exclusively with an importer called Mercanta. We travel with them to source directly and love that they have a North American team of only three people. No secrets, just people finding amazing coffees and making sure producers get well above the cost of production for everything. Rotating single farm offerings are our specialty but we did also just launch our very first blend. We are a light roaster. Even our blend is a light roast. It’s how the most interesting coffees with the least defects taste the best, in our opinion.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We love our La Marzocco Linea PBs and doserless Mazzers. Can’t go wrong with the classics.

How is your project considering sustainability?

We do everything we can in the municipalities we find ourselves serving to recycle materials and save our spent grounds, filters, and tea leaves for compost. We recently landed a distribution partnership with Oatly brand oat milk, which we are super excited about.

cartel coffee lab austin texas

cartel coffee lab austin texas

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We opened on July 19th.

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

We do most of our design and fabrication work in-house. Actually, the founder, Jason Silberschlag designs and builds a lot of the furniture himself. The customer side of the bar and the oversize wheat paste on the wall were designed and installed by us. Our menu boards and bar top were designed in-house then fabricated by this place called Urban Plough in Phoenix. Those guys rock.

Thank you!

cartel coffee lab austin texas

Cartel Coffee Lab is located at 1813 E 6th, Austin. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Cartel Coffee Lab In Austin, TX appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: LeverCraft In Austin, TX

By austin, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, Decent Espresso Machine, eric mann, levercraft coffee, North America, Open House Austin, Staff Picks, Texas, USA

levercraft coffee austin texas

It doesn’t matter how hot it gets in Austin, Texas, the coffee scene is always hotter. And it’s been no different this summer; we’ve had multiple entries into the Build-Outs of Summer from the Texas capital this year and we’re not done yet. Today’s entry comes from LeverCraft, a converted 1955 Spartan Imperial Mansion travel trailer that looks like anything but. Bringing vintage Italian espresso machines into a modern setting, LeverCraft is the latest destination to join the ever-expanding far east Austin coffee shop list. So let’s pay them a visit, shall we, and check out the coolest converted permanent travel trailer coffee shop you’ll ever see.

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Eric Mann.

levercraft coffee austin texas

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

I started this company two years ago restoring vintage espresso machines that I was buying from Italy and converting for resale here in The States. I wanted to control the whole process of espresso, so we also started roasting our own coffee commercially (I have been roasting for myself for four years), and we now wholesale high quality coffees that we source from all over the world. Our company’s focus is on education, quality, and community. We want to spread our passion for coffee to everyone and share the knowledge we have learned over the years.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

This is the fun part of the business for me. We get to be as creative as we would like in the space, which was built from a 1955 Spartan Imperial Mansion travel trailer. It is 43 feet long and was built to feel like a brick and mortar coffee shop when you step inside, not a trailer. I tore the entire shop down to the frame and rebuilt it into what you see today. It was an intense project, but it was very rewarding. I love working with my hands and really enjoyed the process. I also know exactly where everything is so if there is ever an issue, I know how to fix it.

I love serving others so having a shop was a must for me. It allows me to meet incredible people from the community and share something that is very personal for me. We made the counter tops very low to stimulate interaction between the people behind the bar and our customers, and the rest of the space is very welcoming. We also added a mini bar in the back that will allow us to have date nights where people can come and share coffee and dessert with a barista. It will allow us to do a bit of education about coffee in a more intimate setting.

Inside the trailer, we have vintage espresso equipment to look at as well as many different methods to brew coffee. We want people to come in and expect to experience something they have never experienced before. I think it really shows with our two signature drinks, the Freddo, and Espresso Lemonade.

levercraft coffee austin texas

levercraft coffee austin texas

What’s your approach to coffee?

Coffee is incredibly complex, and it is our goal to simplify it to the point that everyone can enjoy it. Our espresso drinks will be consistent, and our specialty drinks will be unique. With that being said, we are bringing in some incredibly rare and delicious coffees to the table that people are really going to enjoy. It is our goal to show the world just how unique coffee is and that the possibilities within coffee brewing and tasting are limitless.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We are using vintage lever machines to brew coffee during the week, and have many other unique methods to make coffee as well.

On bar, we are using a new machine called the Decent Espresso Machine. It is one of a kind and allows you to adjust every single variable that might affect espresso one way or another.

For one of our specialties, we have a vintage milkshake mixer that really opens up the possibilities with milk-based drinks.

We also created a new way to make very strong coffee, similar to ibrik coffee, but with lab equipment.

levercraft coffee austin texas

How is your project considering sustainability?

We just launched our packaging for our whole bean coffee. They are glass medicine bottles that are reusable, washable, and will protect the coffee from harmful UV rays.

We are also doing our part by using paper straws and trying to minimize the amount of to-go paper and plastic cups. We offer discounts for those who bring in their own mugs and cups, but we are working on a stronger solution at the moment.

levercraft coffee austin texas

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We opened in July of 2019!

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

I have had a lot of help from Open House Austin, which is a female owned realty team that has graciously allowed us to use their space. Many of my friends came and helped piece the project together as I built the trailer, too many to mention here.

Thank you!

Thank you for considering us!

levercraft coffee austin texas

LeverCraft is located at 3307 Oak Springs Dr, Austin. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: LeverCraft In Austin, TX appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Everybody’s Coffee In Chicago Shares The Love

By Argyle Night Market, Cafes, chicago, Cornerstone Community Outreach, Everybody’s Coffee, Illinois, new gotham coffee community, North America, Rich Troche, Staff Picks, USA, Wilson Abbey, Women and Children First

 

everybody's coffee chicago illinois

Everybody deserves great coffee. There’s no arguing that. Everybody’s Coffee, snuggled near Uptown Chicago’s bustling Sheridan Road, and breezy Lake Michigan herself, makes it their mission to ensure everyone feels welcome in their space while getting the great coffee they deserve. “Filter Coffee, Not People” regalia unashamedly adorns the walls and counters. A bowl of buttons reading “Everyone is Welcome” sits near the register. You may have seen the Everybody’s bicycle-driven coffee cart out and about town or at the Argyle Night Market held in the summer. And what may be the most special part of the cafe is a wooden plaque hanging near the door. Its purpose is simple: to share the love of coffee with those who are not able to obtain it for themselves.

The “Share the Coffee Love” board has been running just as long as the cafe has, a lively five years. Having an accessible way to encourage others to give back to the Uptown community was a priority for the cafe from the start. Patrons will simply order a drink to have written on the tiny tag and hang it on a nail to be claimed. The tags are cute and humorous: one reads “8oz Coffee for a Mom” and another, “Free Coffee for Someone Who Uses Reusable Bags!” This past holiday, a regular purchased $100 worth of drinks for the community. Rich Troche, one of the company’s founders, even offered a hand in writing out the many tags of espressos, cortados, coffees, what have you. The giving doesn’t stop at the customers, either—baristas are also given the option to donate their shift drinks to share the love.  Anything goes when sharing coffee love.

everybody's coffee chicago illinois

everybody's coffee chicago illinois

Troche is one of the shop’s four founders, each of whom shares a common vision to cement connection with the Uptown community and encourage everyone, from the baristas to the regulars, to give back to and take care of those around them. When the company began roasting offsite this past year, they did not hesitate to share the proceeds with their neighbor, Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO), a non-profit organization that assists in finding housing and living necessities for individuals and families in need. In 2018 alone, CCO was able to accommodate over 300 homeless persons within their facilities and permanently house 27 families and 28 individuals. CCO also provides food for the hungry, specialized care for the elderly, and living necessities to low-income and/or unsheltered families.

“Because of CCO’s decades of dedication and the vast numbers of people whose lives have been changed by the services offered there, Everybody’s has partnered with them in their ventures,” says Troche. “Last year, we began to donate all proceeds from our hand (manual) brewed coffee, and this year we added on a donation for every pound of coffee we roast. This way proceeds from the cafe and roaster go straight back to Uptown. The more coffee we roast, the more we are able to support our neighbors in need.”

everybody's coffee chicago illinois

Everybody’s is also the street-level face of the Wilson Abbey, an auditorium that works to host events with schools, churches, and businesses in Uptown and its surrounding neighborhoods. Down the hall are two event spaces, a large concert hall, and a black box. Among the organizations that use the Abbey are the Uptown Baptist Church, neighbor to the Abbey, and Women and Children First, a feminist bookstore. Coffee events are no stranger here, either, of course. In conjunction with the New Gotham Coffee Community, Everybody’s held The Great Lakes Coffee Showcase a few years in a row. In 2017, the Midwest Regional AeroPress Championship was also held here. Weaving Everybody’s into the constant flow of cultural events helps keep them connected to the heart of the Chicago community, even all the way Uptown.

everybody's coffee chicago illinois

At the time of writing, Everybody’s was showcasing a collection of self-portraits by the Uplift Community High School. There’s no shortage of books signings, live music, and local artist events. Local writers’ groups, parenting clubs, and board game meetups consider this cafe the ideal spot. There is a seat here for everyone and a cup of coffee hanging on the wall for someone who needs some warmth in the chilly Midwest. Everybody’s Coffee walks the walk of a safe space where humans can connect in one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods.

Everybody’s Coffee is located at 935 W Wilson Ave, Chicago. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Casey Chartier-Vignapiano is a freelance journalist and coffee professional in Chicago. This is Casey Chartier-Vignapiano’s first feature for Sprudge.

Photos by Eric Perez for Sprudge

The post Everybody’s Coffee In Chicago Shares The Love appeared first on Sprudge.

Source: Coffee News

Coffee Design: Little Amps In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

By Aaron Carlson, Brandt Imhoff, coffee design, Design, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Little Amps Coffee, Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Pennsylvania, Peter Leonard, Staff Picks

 

Harrisburg’s Little Amps Coffee Roasters revamped their packaging this year in a big way. The company ditched its signature black ink on kraft look for something a little brighter. Bold colors, illustration, and a touch of gold give Little Amps coffee bags a lot of life. To find out more, we connect with Partner and Wholesale Manager Peter Leonard.

When did the design debut?

June 2019

What’s different about the package?

So much!! We’ve had the same logo in black ink on brown kraft bags since day 1, with minor upgrades over the years to the packaging and application. We’re now feeling more contemporary, with a biodegradable bag, updated logo, and lots of color!

The previous look.

Who designed it?

The design started in the brains of myself and business partner Aaron Carlson and was brought to life by Lancaster, PA graphic designer and illustrator Brandt Imhoff.

How long did this redesign take to develop?

We’ve been talking about this for a few years but started to seriously work with Brandt about a year and a half ago.

Why are aesthetics important for coffee packaging?

Why do I now willingly drink Miller Lite? It looks so good!! In 2019 most of our purchases are aesthetically driven, for better or worse!! It is our hope that our bags look as good as the contents taste. A big motivator for us was wanting to stand out on the shelves of grocery stores, coffee shops, and even people’s homes. We wanted “eye-catching design.” We also really wanted to convey the energy and attitudes of our company. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We like to have fun!

Where is it available?

You can find these bags in our three stores in Harrisburg, on our website, and with wholesale partners near and far!

Where is the bag manufactured?

The bag is from Tricorbraun, formerly Pacific Bag!

What type of package is it?

The bags are Biotre 1.0

Is the package recyclable/compostable?

The bag is 60% compostable. We reuse bags in-house and are also setting up recycling with Terracycle.

Thanks!

Company: Little Amps Coffee Roasters
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Country: United States
Designer: Little Amps & Brandt Imhoff
Design Debut: June 2019

Zachary Carlsen is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Zachary Carlsen on Sprudge.

The post Coffee Design: Little Amps In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania appeared first on Sprudge.

Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Littlefoot Coffee Roasters In Grandville, MI

By ALEX BURBO, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, cup & spoon, Grandville, intelligentsia, Littlefoot Coffee Roasters, Maquina Coffee, Metric Coffee, michigan, North America, Places, probat, Rosie Quasarano, Staff Picks, USA

littlefoot coffee grandville michigan

It’s not everyday that a coffee brand up and moves their entire operation 200 miles into another state, on the other side of Lake Michigan no less. But that’s exactly what Littlefoot Coffee Roasters did. Now of Grandville, Michigan, owners Rosie Quasarano and Alex Burbo started Littlefoot in Chicago, renting roasting time at Metric Coffee, where Burbo was then employed. But after a few years, their plans to move back to their home state finally came to fruition.

We previously spoke with Burbo about Littlefoot as part of our nano-roaster feature series Going Somewhere Solo, where he discussed the brand’s long-term plans to move operations to Detroit. But at they often do, plans shift, and in this case, they shifted 165 miles east on I-96 to the Grand Rapids suburb Littlefoot now calls home. And now these new Grandvillians have a space of their own, so let’s pay them a visit, shall we.

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Rosie Quasarano.

littlefoot coffee grandville michigan

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

We’re proud Michiganders, and our little but mighty operation is a reflection of our hard-working heritage. We source beans grown by exceptional people, which allows us to roast coffee that brews one great cup. Our rotating menu keeps things fresh and highlights the best of each season.

Our adventure started in Chicago in 2017 and it was our ultimate goal to bring Littlefoot to our home state. We made our way back the following year, and we consider it an honor to help fuel the people who make Michigan a truly special place to live.

littlefoot coffee grandville michigan

littlefoot coffee grandville michigan

Right now, our entire operation is a team of two!

ALEX BURBO, Director of Coffee

Alex has roasted coffee for some of the most respected brands in the industry. He spent eight years working for Intelligentsia where he became head roaster as well as a key part of the green sourcing team. Alex also proudly served as the head roaster for Metric Coffee. In his role in Roasting and Quality Control for these companies, he has worked alongside some of the most well-respected individuals in the industry, learning from every experience along the way.

ROSIE QUASARANO, Head of Marketing & Sales

Before launching full-time into Littlefoot, Rosie owned and operated Cup & Spoon, a successful coffee shop in Chicago’s Humboldt park neighborhood for five years. Combining her love of coffee, years of barista experience, and a decade of advertising knowledge, Rosie tirelessly works to perfect our product and service and brings a unique perspective to our wholesale partners as a fellow entrepreneur.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

We are setting up our wholesale operation in a beautiful warehouse space. We have double bays as well as second level capabilities for a tasting room/cupping lab and meeting space.

We have plans to introduce public cuppings, roasting tours, coffee education meet ups, and roasting apprenticeships.

What’s your approach to coffee?

Good, honest, approachable, and fun.

We work hard to source quality green and always ensure we are paying fair prices to the farmers.

Our Director of Coffee and master roaster Alex Burbo uses his decade of experience to roast profiles that highlight the best of a bean and its region.

Education is a big component of Littlefoot. Many coffee lovers have never been exposed to the roasting process or taken part in a cupping. We want to help change that. We want to mimic what a lot of breweries do and invite people in to get up close and personal with the process of coffee roasting.

littlefoot coffee grandville michigan

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We are getting up and running on a vintage Probat. We acquired it from our friend Gabe Lucas from Maquina Coffee.

Our summer single origin lineup is strong.

Ecuadorian Finca Lugmapata that placed 8th in the Taza Dorada competition
Two amazing Peruvians—Aguaytadero and Flor de Selva
Ethiopian Natural—Aricha
And more

We also have our SUPERIOR cold brew, named after the coldest great lake. Down the line we would love to introduce a cold brew bottling operation in our space.

How is your project considering sustainability?

We plan to work with Consumers Energy Business program to outfit our warehouse space for peak energy efficiency.

littlefoot coffee grandville michigan

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

August 2019

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

Yes!
Ryan Hoelting of RYN STUDIOS designed our logo, branding, and packaging
Tom Kilgore of NAI Wisinski of West Michigan helped tremendously with our build-out
Tim Van Noord of Colliers International helped us scout warehouse locations
Daniel Crosby of EQS arranged shipping of our roaster from PA to MI
West Michigan Garage Interiors helped refinish all of our warehouse concrete floors

Thank you!

Thank you so much!

Littlefoot Coffee Roasters is located at 3047 Broadway, Grandville. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Littlefoot Coffee Roasters In Grandville, MI appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Press Coffee In Phoenix, AZ

By Adriana Vizcaino, Arizona, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, Malhkönig, North America, Phoenix, Places, Press Coffee, probat, Staff Picks, Synesso MVP Hydra, The Construction Zone, The Roastery, USA

press coffee phoenix arizona

When you think of a roastery, what comes to mind? Is it a nondescript warehouse with little to no signage and a faint roasty smell? Due to some combination of space needs, proprietary secrets, and the unglamorous nature of the function—you try matching a roast curve for eight hours, day in and day out, and tell me how sexy of a job it is—roasting facilities have historically been more low profile affairs than their cafe counterparts.

But recent years have seen an increased demand in transparency across all aspects of the supply chain. Folks want to know not just where the coffee is coming from and how much the farmers are paid for their labor, but how it is getting from its green form to its brown. This interest in roasting is leading many roasting spaces to up their aesthetic qualities; for many, roasting is now front of house.

One of these new breeds of stunning roasting spaces is the aptly named The Roastery by Press Coffee in Phoenix, Arizona. Now over a decade in business, Press is moving into a brand new 5,600-square-foot space that includes a full coffee bar, training center, beer and wine, and a full view of the production operation. Coffee with a side of knowledge, that’s what’s on the menu at Press Coffee’s The Roastery in Phoenix, and we’re here for it.

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Adriana Vizcaino.

press coffee phoenix arizona

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

Press has been Arizona’s own local coffee roaster since 2008. Quality driven and community focused, Press shares its passion for specialty coffee by providing the highest quality coffee products, service, and knowledge with customers and community. Press Coffee has eight Valley locations in Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix, and Chandler. The Roastery is the coffee provider for many Phoenix restaurants and hotels.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

We built The Roastery to allow the public to view the coffee roasting process. The building is 5,600 sq ft and includes a full coffee bar, beer and wine, food, and our roasting and production areas. There is a loft that allows people to sit upstairs and view the space from above. Our training center and cupping classes will occupy the space above as well.

press coffee phoenix arizona

What’s your approach to coffee?

We strive to deliver a superior product and experience by investing in our employees, facilities, and community. Our knowledgeable and friendly baristas have the common goal of making specialty coffee approachable to the general public.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We have a lineup of three Probat roasters, one P12 and two P25s. A three-group Synesso MVP Hydra, four Malhkönig E65S grinders, Synesso S200, and three Mahlkönig EK43S grinders.

How is your project considering sustainability?

The space uses natural gas and solar panels.

press coffee phoenix arizona

press coffee phoenix arizona

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We just opened on July 19th

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

We worked with The Construction Zone on this project.

Thank you!

Thank you Sprudge!

press coffee phoenix arizona

Press Coffee is located at 10443 N 32nd St, Phoenix. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Press Coffee In Phoenix, AZ appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Mill City Roasters In Minneapolis, MN

By big red roast rig, Build-Outs Of Summer, cafe imports, Cafes, la marzocco, mazzer, Mill City Roasters, minneapolis, Minnesota, mobile, North America, Pacific Foods, Places, Staff Picks, USA, wilbur curtis

mill city roasters big red roast rig

In the past seven years of the Build-Outs of Summer, we’ve seen projects big and small. We’ve witnessed massive roasting facilities all the way down to mobile coffee trucks. But never—and I mean NEVER—have we seen both in the same build. Until today, that is, thanks to Mill City Roaster‘s mobile roasting lab.

Lovingly referred to as the Big Red Roast Rig (for obvious reasons), the 40-foot Peterbuilt box truck is equipped with two 500g sample roasters, two three-kilogram roasters, and a full coffee bar. It’s essentially a training lab on wheels, allowing Mill City to take the show on the road and connect with clients in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. The Big Red Roast Rig has already made stops in Kansas City for the 2019 US Coffee Championships—where it was utilized for the Roasters Championship—in Georgia for the Coffee Roasters Guild Retreat, and in Los Angeles for LA Coffee Fest. Where will they be next? Wherever there’s open road takes them. For a full list of their next adventures, check out the Big Red Roast Rig page. Don’t you just love the feel of wind in your roaster’s airflow system?

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Angie Davis.

mill city roasters big red roast rig

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

At our core, we’re simply specialty coffee roasters who also make roasters. We’re passionate about coffee quality and we’ve optimized our machines for specialty roasting from the perspective of people who’ve actually stood next to a production roaster trying to get better coffee eight hours a day, five days a week.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

We’d had the idea to create a seed-to-cup mobile coffee lab last Summer. The monthly classes at our campus in Minneapolis had become really popular but there was still a barrier to entry for people from further away that either couldn’t afford travel or couldn’t leave their businesses for a few days to attend. Mobilizing coffee education would allow us not only connect with those people but to also to promote specialty coffee to the public in a more immediate, hands-on way.

The idea really started to take shape when the 2019 US Coffee Championships were being planned. For a few years now, Mill City Roasters had been the official roaster of the US Coffee Championships and when the finals were schedule for Kansas City in the Spring of 2019, the venue chosen did not have the ability to host the roasting competition indoors. Instead of roasting in a tent, we shared our mobile coffee lab idea and suggested it could be developed to host those competitors. We purchased a 40-foot Peterbuilt box truck that just happened to have a cab in Mill City red and got to work.

Much of what we were trying to do functionally had already been done in food trucks so we wanted to borrow some of that capability but we didn’t want it to look like a food truck. We wanted the space to feel more like a warm workshop than a commercial kitchen. The truck had wood floors that we patched and refinished. We lined the walls with maple veneer plywood with a clear matte finish. We designed custom metal cabinetry that incorporated residential scale details and finished them in matte black. We used butcher block counters at all the stations and incorporated soft task lighting at each work surface.

But the windows are really the most important part of the interior. We wanted every work surface to have enough natural light that interior lighting was not required but the windows play a larger role in framing (literally) our experience with this project both from inside and outside. The windows give viewers outside the ability to be voyeurs to what can sometimes be very focused and intense tasks. From inside, the windows reinforce this idea of mobility, travel, adventure, and capability. You could be hitting first crack or pulling a shot and you look outside and see the Grand Canyon. It reinforces our original goal—spread the love of specialty coffee everywhere.

The graphics on the exterior were the last step and the goal was to turn the truck into a moving billboard to announce what was happening inside. It’s been effective. We’ve had people follow the truck for miles to our destination just to say hello and check us out. At every pitstop, people ask about our our travels. Every opportunity we get to connect with people about coffee and roasting is welcome.

mill city roasters big red roast rig

What’s your approach to coffee?

The growth in commercial coffee is cup quality forged at the intersection of machinery, people, and ideas. We see coffee quality as a tool to differentiate local businesses and help them grow. Our educational philosophy is uniquely commercially focused on the “brand building” side of greens selection, roasting, and extraction. At the end of the day, we’re trying to help businesses make choices that maximize their freedom of choice.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

Beyond our two Mill City Roasters 500 gram Sample Roasters and two three-kilogram gas coffee roasters, we needed additional equipment and supplies to make it a true seed-to-cup experience. We wanted to choose those companies and brands that shared our values within the specialty coffee industry. We chose to work with La Marzocco and Wilbur Curtis as two highly respected equipment suppliers. Both of those companies have a wide range of solid equipment and we were able to find pieces that worked perfectly in our layout. We’re using two La Marzocco Linea Minis, two Mazzer Mini Electronic A Grinders, two Wilber Curtis D500GT Brewers with airpots, and a Mazzer ZM Grinder. We’re also highlighting four greens this year from our greens sponsor, Cafe Imports, with whom we continue to have a close relationship not only on the truck but back home in Minneapolis.

mill city roasters big red roast rig

mill city roasters big red roast rig

How is your project considering sustainability?

Every student we can reach on the road eliminates their potential travel either by road or by airplane to receive that education. Our truck is outfitted with a zero emissions system and the truck recharges its high capacity battery systems, which power our coffee equipments and lights as it rolls down the road. Beyond sustainability, we are also donating 100% of class fees collected during our August trips to charities working at our southern border.

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We are on the road as we type! Currently in route to LA for Coffee Fest after just having spent last weekend at Coffee Roasters Guild in Georgia. So far this year, we’ve taken the truck to Kansas City to host the roasting competition of the US Coffee Championships and in early Summer we completed a five city tour through Indianapolis, Knoxville, Nashville, St. Louis, DesMoines.

mill city roasters big red roast rig

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

The truck layout, finishes and graphics were designed by our Creative Director, Angie Davis. Her background is in architecture and product design and Mill City customers will recognize her name as she’s very involved with helping them understand their own space planning and systems requirements. Our owner, Steve Green designed the fuel system, generators, and high capacity battery systems that provide power for the roasters, coffee equipment, lights, and air conditioning. The entire Mill City team played a part in getting us road ready so it’s rewarding for all of us to see so many people enjoying this project.

We’d also like to recognize our 2019 Road Sponsor, Pacific Foods whose generous support makes much of our travel possible. Pacific Foods continues to be an incredible supporter of the specialty coffee industry and we’re grateful for their support alongside our other sponsors and collaborators.

Thank you!

Thank you! We’ll see you out there!

mill city roasters big red roast rig

Mill City Roasters is located at 1050 33rd Ave SE, Minneapolis. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Mill City Roasters In Minneapolis, MN appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: The Meteor In Austin, TX

By andrew werth, austin, Black Out Signs, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, Deep Eddy Tasting Room, intelligentsia coffee, JoAnn’s Fine Foods, kilogram tea, Klean Kanteen, La Marzocco Linea PB 3AV, mahlkonig, marco, Natural Wine, North America, notNeutral, Scott Magic, Staff Picks, Texas, Texas Rover, The Meteor, USA

the meteor austin texas

When it comes to mission statements, they don’t get much clearer (and diverse) than “Espresso, Champagne, and Chain Lube.” And that is exactly what The Meteor will be bringing to Austin early next month. Along with coffee from Intelligentsia, the new polymath cafe will feature a selection of natural wines as well as a “bespoke bike shop,” all things that the Texas capital inarguably enjoys, perhaps more than anywhere else in the state does.

With locations in Bentonville and Little Rock, The Meteor is hopping the border for their first non-Arkansas cafe, right in the heart of Central Texas. Their newest South Congress outpost looks to capitalize on the city’s penchant for doing things in 100° heat that shouldn’t ever really be done in temperatures that hot: riding bikes and drinking hot coffee; the crisp natural bubbles are never a bad idea though. But it’s a formula that has spelled success in Austin for some time now, and there’s no slowing down (or cooling off) in sight.

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Andrew Werth.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

Our framework is espresso, champagne, and chain lube, but really we are…

A top-shelf coffee bar and cafe colliding with a bespoke bike shop. We’ll offer signature baked goods, inspired food, and drinks for a hot climate.

the meteor austin texas

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Architect Scott Magic (see JoAnn’s Fine Foods, Deep Eddy Tasting Room) was brought on to oversee the buildout, which will expose the building’s 1950’s, mid-century structural features. Pink terrazzo floors line the cafe and Texas limestone frames the building. Black Out Signs from San Marcos, Texas, was commissioned to build an exterior neon sign announcing our holy trinity—Espresso, Champagne, Chain Lube—and an interior floating neon orb.

What’s your approach to coffee?

The Meteor strives to be exceptional in everything we do. It is our mission to provide our customers with excellent food and coffee in a fun and energetic environment. We offer friendly, intentional, and knowledgeable service that provides our customers with a consistent experience each time. We are committed to serving high-quality products while creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for our clientele and staff.

Moreover, we strive to create and foster a supportive community that emphasizes clear and direct communication and mutual respect. All members of our staff are valued for the unique experience that they bring to our company and are offered opportunities for personal and professional growth throughout every stage of employment.

the meteor austin texas

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

The coffee bar features Intelligentsia Coffee and Kilogram Tea. Espresso equipment includes La Marzocco Linea PB 3AV, Mahlkönig K30 Air and Air Twin, and an EK43 for drip. Marco under counter boilers for tea service.

How is your project considering sustainability?

Principally in repurposing an existing building. Secondly in facilitating to a majority bicycle transported clientele with ample bike parking and bike services. A majority of wine offerings will be low to no intervention ie. natural wines. Additionally using compostable to go containers and participating in organic waste collection.

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

Early September

the meteor austin texas

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

Scott Magic, Architect. Black Out Signs, neon signs and light fixture. Texas Rover, interior. notNeutral, custom mugs, cups, saucers. Klean Kanteen, custom canteens and tumblers.

Thank you!

Thank you!

the meteor austin texas

The Meteor is located at 2110 S Congress Ave., Austin. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: The Meteor In Austin, TX appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Cohesive Coffee In Greenville, SC

By aeropress, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, Cohesive Coffee, Cooperative Roasters, Greenville, josh williams, Kalita Wave, La Marzocco Linea Classic, Matt McDaniel, North America, South Carolina, Staff Picks, USA, White Duck Taco

cohesive coffee greenville south carolina

Journey now with us down to Greenville, South Carolina, the home of our next installment of the Build-Outs of Summer, Cohesive Coffee. Located in the new Junctions at Downtown Airport development, Cohesive is a community-focused cafe hoping to bring individuals from all walks of life together over a shared love of one thing: coffee.

Open for a little over a week now, Cohesive wants to be a spot for everyone, coffee drinker and non-coffee drinker alike. But for the coffee drinker, they are working with Asheville, North Carolina’s Cooperative Coffee for both espresso-based drinks and filter options, along with a few regional guest roasters making the occasional appearance. And from the looks of things, the brand new Cohesive Coffee in Greenville, South Carolina is off to a great start!

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Josh Williams.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

We are a community focused shop specializing in creating welcoming experiences for the coffee aficionado to the glass of milk drinker and everything in between.

We also have lived the past year as a mobile bus!

We have a four-fold strategy as to what makes us “Cohesive”
1) Everyone has a seat at the table
2) Kindness is cool
3) Every drink is a work of art
4) We don’t have customers, we have family

We want to be a place where cultures collide. Where different beliefs, people groups, and more can find unity in a common love: coffee and tea.

cohesive coffee greenville south carolina

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Our new space features 1,700 square feet including a 20-foot open bar and seating for around 30 people. Mid-century modern touches and minimal but bright color palettes will surround the space.

We are in a development called the Junction at Downtowns Airport, in the heart of Greenville with a restaurant, White Duck Taco, and 10 other customer driven businesses; there’s even a soccer training facility for our local pro team!

What’s your approach to coffee?

Coffee is a science and it is something we desire to continue to research and learn. We want to make sure that every drink we create has the customer in mind, from visual appeal to taste to customization to accommodate sweetness or alternative milks.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

A La Marzocco Linea Classic two-group. This thing is a work horse and easy to train on.

Our pour-over bar will consist of Kalita Waves, a siphon or two, and potentially some special AeroPress recipes on standby.

As far as coffee, our anchor will be Cooperative Roasters out of Asheville. Matt McDaniel has been a huge mentor to me so it made perfect sense to use him! We are also going to feature regional roasters as another way to build community.

cohesive coffee greenville south carolina

How is your project considering sustainability?

By having a close relationship with our roaster, we are able to have an open line of communication as far as to where coffees are sourced from and the farms they come from. We want to honor and celebrate these farmers as much as possible.

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

Mid August 2019

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

NexGen Contractors has done an amazing buildout so far, and an amazing local artist and barista Brandon Seabrook Nelson is painting a large design feature behind the bar!

Thank you!

My pleasure!

cohesive coffee greenville south carolina

Cohesive Coffee is located at 301 Airport road, Unit A, Greenville. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Cohesive Coffee In Greenville, SC appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters In Fayetteville, AR

By Arkansas, Arsaga's Coffee Roasters, Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, fayetteville, Jason Arsaga, North America, Places, Staff Picks, USA

arsagas coffee fayetteville arkansas

Not to get all Guy Fieri on y’all, but we here at Sprudge love diner coffee, dive coffee, and of course, drive-in coffee. Or drive-thru coffee, as it stands in this case. And that’s exactly what Fayetteville, Arkansas’s Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters is delivery up.

After nearly 30 years in business, the family-run coffee company is opening their sixth cafe location, but their first drive-thru, one that used to be a former meatloaf drive-thru spot at that. But don’t let the homey past fool you, the newest Arsaga’s is fit out is about as modern as they come. A Modbar AV, PuqPress, and all manner of Mahlkönig grinder, this ain’t your granny’s drive-thru. So grab your sunglasses, bleach your hair, and hop in that ole 1967 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible, we’re heading to Flavor Town, which just so happens to be at Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Jason Arsaga.

arsagas coffee fayetteville arkansas

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

We’re a family owned and operated coffee roaster with five cafes all on the south side of Fayetteville, Arkansas. We opened in 1992. We delight in making great versions of things that people often take for granted or have a low opinion of.

We hope to create spaces that we’d like to be in and work in… alongside our friends and family.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Our new space is a drive thru coffee spot that our community has lovingly renamed “Carsaga’s.” This is our first and only drive thru. We made this spot for parents with cars full of kids that they can’t drag into a cafe and for the people who want good coffee but don’t want to put on pants or be social before coffee.

We built out this space to be efficient, ergonomic, and to reduce waste as much as possible.

The space was originally built to be a Rally’s sometime in the 80’s probably. At one point it was allegedly a drive thru meatloaf spot.

What’s your approach to coffee?

We make the coffee that we want to drink. We try not to chase fads but we also love the improvements that come from constant engagement and being aware of trends.

We tend to favor a medium to medium light roast for most coffees but we try to pay attention to what a particular coffee wants and to bring out what’s best in it… not too light and not too dark but the sweetest spot we can get it to.

We’re in an industry built on being the side hustle for artists. We try to harness and direct that powerful creative force. We’re on a ride with coffee and each other.

arsagas coffee fayetteville arkansas

arsagas coffee fayetteville arkansas

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

The drive thru gear features a two-group ModBar AV and Steam, Mahlkönig PEAK, Twin, and EK43 grinders, PuqPress, Curtis G4 batch brewers, Rhino pitcher rinsers, Acaia Pearl scales, Hario v60 scales, OCD V2 distributors, in counter milk ice bin, all cold coffees (flash brewed nitro and cold brew), and soda water on tap. We also have nice sounding Sonos speakers inside the building.

We built out the cafe so that we can add to it as we learn its limitations. The entire setup can be built again on the opposite side of the cafe if needed. So far this is our fastest and easiest to work bar.

For coffee we have a house espresso/batch brew blend named Daily Driver. As batch brew it’s a bold medium dark cup with tasting notes of chocolate and walnut with an apple acidity. As espresso it’s much sweeter and has tasting notes of chocolate, almond, and cherry.

We have a rotating single origin espresso and a decaf espresso. We have two cold brew options available at all times. One is nutty and mellow and the other is a wild card. We have two batch brew options available at all times. One is Daily Driver and the other is a rotating single origin.

How is your project considering sustainability?

This was a big concern for us going into such a disposable situation as a drive thru coffee spot. Our cups, lids, and straws are compostable. The city of Fayetteville is starting a restaurant food waste compost program very soon and we’re one of their first participants. We currently compost our food and coffee waste but it’s a big chore to keep up on.

We purchase milk from a local dairy named Ozark Mountain Creamery that uses glass bottle packaging. They sanitize and reuse the glass bottles. Their milk is very good too! Our loyalty card is a “bring your own cup” card. We give customers a discount for bringing a reusable cup and eventually they also get a free drink after purchasing 14 drinks. We offer a few of our food items in reusable glass jars that customers can return for a bottle deposit. We make our syrups and sauces in house under the name Queen Cadwallader’s, and source all our chocolate from a local chocolate company named Markham & Fitz. Besides increasing quality, sourcing ingredients this way also results in a less waste and shipping.

arsagas coffee fayetteville arkansas

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We opened two weeks ago!

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

All of our carpentry and so much more is done by Marc Gunter and Al Kennet. Our signage was hand painted by Joe Alexander. Our metal menu boards were made by a local fabricator named Modus. Our flowers and trees were put in and are maintained by Rachel Lyons of Bee Well Gardens. David Lamont, Scott Manley, and Will Frith of La Marzocco/ModBar provided tons of help and ideas for this project.
Fiona Parson from Rhino made a lot of helpful gear recommendations. Ari Fasanella of Cafe Imports, Dean Kallivrousis of Ally, Jennifer Huber of Royal, and Mark Bray from Airship are green importers who all keep us informed about and supplied with great green coffees.

Thank you!

Thank you too!

arsagas coffee fayetteville arkansas

Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters is located at 1509 W. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fayetteville. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters In Fayetteville, AR appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News